PEDIATRIC PHARMACOTHERAPY

A Monthly Newsletter for Health Care Professionals from the

University of Virginia Childrens Hospital
Volume 17 Number 5

May 2011

Loratadine and Desloratadine Use in Children

Marcia L. Buck, Pharm.D., FCCP, FPPAG

oratadine is one of the most widely used

antihistamines in the United States.
Introduced on April 12, 1993 as a prescription
medication for the treatment of perennial or
seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic
urticaria, it is now available without a
prescription or over the counter (OTC) in a
wide variety of formulations.1,2 Desloratadine,
the single active isomer of loratadine, was
approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) on December 21, 2001 and still requires a
prescription.3,4 Both versions are approved for
pediatric use: loratadine for children as young as
2 years of age and desloratadine for infants 6
months of age and older. This issue of Pediatric
Pharmacotherapy will provide a brief review of
loratadine and desloratadine, focusing on studies
supporting their use in the pediatric population.
Mechanism of Action
Loratadine is a long-acting tricyclic secondgeneration antihistamine. It is an antagonist at
receptors.
peripheral
histamine
(H1)
Desloratadine (descarboethoxyloratadine) is the
active metabolite of loratadine and produces the
same pharmacologic effect as the parent
compound. An oral dose of loratadine or
desloratadine typically begins to inhibit the
wheal and flare reaction after intradermal
histamine injection within 1-3 hours, reaches a
peak effect within 8-12, and lasts for
approximately 24 hours. As with other secondgeneration antihistamines, neither drug crosses
the blood-brain barrier in significant quantities to
produce central nervous system (CNS) effects.
While up to 100% of central H1 receptors may be
occupied by first-generation antihistamines, the
second-generation agents typically occupy only
20% of these receptors.1-4
Pharmacokinetics
Both loratadine and desloratadine are rapidly
absorbed after oral administration. Loratadine
reaches maximum concentrations in 1-1.5 hours,
compared to 3 hours for desloratadine. Food

does not significantly alter absorption. Both

compounds are highly protein bound (80-90%).
Loratadine is metabolized via cytochrome P450
3A4 (CYP3A4) and to a lesser extent by
CYP2D6. The major metabolite of loratadine,
desloratadine,
is
metabolized
to
3hydroxydesloratadine. This compound then
undergoes glucuronidation prior to excretion.
The mean elimination half-lives of both
loratadine and desloratadine are approximately
27-28 hours in healthy adults. It has been
estimated that up to 6% of the population are
poor metabolizers of desloratadine, having a
half-life of more than 50 hours.
Hepatic
dysfunction also extends the half-lives of both
drugs in adults.2-4
The pharmacokinetic profiles of both loratadine
and desloratadine have been studied in children
and appear similar to values found in adults. In
1995, Lin and colleagues studied the
pharmacokinetics of loratadine in 14 children
between 8 and 12 years of age.5 The children
weighing less than 30 kg received a single dose
of 5 mg loratadine syrup and those weighing
more than 30 kg were given a 10 mg dose. The
mean loratadine peak concentration of 4.38
ng/mL occurred at an average of 1 hour after
administration. The average peak desloratadine
concentration, 3.79 ng/mL, was reached at 1.69
hours.
While the elimination half-life for
loratadine was not evaluated, the average halflife for desloratadine was 13.8 hours.
In 2000, Salmun and colleagues studied
loratadine pharmacokinetics in children between
2 and 5 years of age.6 In their open-label study,
18 children received a single 5 mg dose of
loratadine syrup.
The maximum serum
concentrations of loratadine and desloratadine
were 7.8 ng/mL and 5.1 ng/mL, respectively.
The peak concentration of loratadine occurred at
1.2 hours, with a desloratadine peak at 2.3 hours,
similar to the results observed in older children.

The pharmacokinetic profile of desloratadine has

been studied by Gupta and colleagues in both
infants and children.
In their 2006 paper
published in the British Journal of Clinical
Pharmacology, the authors described the results
of two open-label single-dose studies, one in 18
children 2-5 years of age and one in 18 children
6-11 years of age.7 The younger children
received 1.25 mg of desloratadine syrup and the
older subjects were given 2.5 mg. In both
groups, maximum desloratadine concentrations
occurred at 2 hours after dosing. The average
elimination half-life was 16.4 + 13.9 in the
younger children and 19.4 + 15.8 hours for the
older group.
In a separate study, Gupta and colleagues used a
population pharmacokinetic analysis to evaluate
desloratadine in 58 infants and children between
6 months to 2 years of age.8 Subjects were
randomly assigned to either a 0.625 mg or 1.25
mg dose of desloratadine syrup. The mean peak
desloratadine concentrations were 1.69 ng/mL in
the patients less than 1 year of age and 1.56
ng/mL in the patients 1-2 years of age. The time
to reach maximum concentration was similar in
the two groups: 3.16 hours in the infants and 3.1
hours in the 1-2 year olds). The estimated
elimination half-life was 14.6 hours in the infants
and 12.4 hours in the 1-2 year old group. The
results of these three studies establish the
similarity in pharmacokinetic characteristics of
desloratadine in infants, children, and adults.
Clinical Trials
In 1989, Boner and colleagues compared the
efficacy and safety of loratadine to standard
therapy with a first-generation antihistamine in
40 children with allergic rhinitis.9 Patients were
randomized to receive either loratadine (2.5 or 5
mg once daily, equivalent to 0.11-0.24 mg/kg,
once daily) or dexchlorpheniramine (0.1-0.23
mg/kg every 8 hours) for 14 days. Nasal
discharge, congestion, and nasal itching, as well
as itching, burning, or watery eyes and itching of
the ears or palate were evaluated at days 3, 7, and
14. Both drugs significantly reduced nasal and
ocular symptoms compared to baseline
throughout the duration of the study (p < 0.01).
While both drugs were well tolerated overall,
only the children in the dexchlorpheniramine
group experienced drowsiness.
These investigators published another pediatric
loratadine study in 1992, comparing loratadine (5
or 10 mg once daily) and astemizole (0.2 mg/kg
once daily).10 Forty-one children (6-14 years of
age) were enrolled in the 14-day blinded study.

Significant improvement in allergy symptoms

was reported in both groups, with a response of
excellent or good in 83.3% of the loratadine
patients and 58.8% of the astemizole group.
Lutsky and colleagues compared loratadine and
terfenadine in an international study of 96 3-6
year old children with allergic rhinitis.11 Patients
were randomized to receive loratadine (5 or 10
mg once daily) or terfenadine (15 mg twice
daily) for 14 days. Mean scores for nasal and
non-nasal allergy symptoms were significantly
reduced from baseline in both groups (p < 0.05)
at days 3, 7, and 14. Non-nasal symptoms were
more likely to improve with loratadine (p <
0.05).
Therapeutic response was rated as
excellent or good in 82% of the loratadine
patients and 60% of the terfenadine group.
The first published report of desloratadine in
children was a tolerability study conducted by the
manufacturer. Bloom and colleagues performed
a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 111
children between 2 and 5 years of age and 129
children 6 to 11 years of age.12 Desloratadine
doses were 1.25 mg in the younger group and 2.5
mg in the older children. There were no
significant differences in the incidence of minor
adverse effects between active drug and placebo
in either age group. No serious or severe adverse
event were reported. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
results showed no significant changes.
In 2005, Rossi and coworkers described the first
clinical efficacy trial of desloratadine in
children.13 A total of 54 children (6-12 years of
age) were enrolled in their 4-week open-label
trial. The patients received 2.5 mg desloratadine
syrup once daily. Rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal
congestion, cough, ocular symptoms, and itching
were significantly reduced during the study. In
the children with underlying asthma, the use of
short-acting beta2-adrengergic agonists was also
reduced. There only adverse effects reported
were one case each of insomnia and diarrhea.
The safety of desloratadine was evaluated in
children 6 months to 2 years of age by Prenner
and colleagues in 2006.14 Two hundred fifty-five
children were randomized to either desloratadine
(1 or 1.25 mg once daily, depending on age) or
placebo for 15 days. The most commonly
reported adverse effects were somnolence (in
5.3% of desloratadine and 7.3% of controls),
diarrhea (6.1% and 2.4%, respectively), and
irritability (6.9% and 5.6%, respectively). There
were no significant changes in ECG parameters
and no serious or severe adverse effects.

In 2007, Dizdar and colleagues compared regular

and intermittent as needed desloratadine
administration in 37 adolescents (ages 12-18
years) with allergic rhinitis.15 Patients were
randomized to a regimen of 10 mg desloratadine
each morning for 4 weeks or 10 mg daily on an
as needed basis. There were no differences
between the groups in symptom control.
Inflammatory markers and nasal flow
measurements were also no different. Albuterol
use was lower in the regular desloratadine group
during the fourth week of the study, when pollen
counts were high. No adverse effects were
reported.
The authors concluded that
intermittent administration was adequate for most
children with allergic rhinitis, but that regular
administration may provide better control for
children with airway reactivity.

The adverse effects of desloratadine were studied

by the manufacturer in three placebo-controlled
clinical trials of 246 children between 6 months
and 11 years of age. In the oldest children (those
between 6 and 11 years of age), there were no
adverse effects reported in more than 2% of
patients. In the 2-5 year old group, the most
common reactions were fever (5.5% of children
given desloratadine vs. 5.4% of controls), urinary
tract infection and concomitant varicella
infection (3.6% vs. 0). In the patients between
12 and 23 months of age, the most frequent
adverse effects were fever (16.9% vs. 12.9%),
diarrhea (15.4% vs. 11.3%), upper respiratory
tract infections (10.8% vs. 9.7%), coughing
(10.8% vs. 6.5%), increased appetite (3.1% vs.
1.6%), and emotional lability, epistaxis, parasitic
infection, pharyngitis, and rash (all 3.1% vs. 0).4

Contraindications and Precautions

Loratadine and desloratadine are contraindicated
in patients with a known sensitivity to either drug
or the excipients used in the formulations
available. Hypersensitivity reactions are rare,
but include rash, urticaria, pruritus, dyspnea,
Although some
edema, and anaphylaxis.2-4
earlier
second-generation
antihistamines
(astemizole, terfenadine) have been associated
with prolongation of the QTc interval and a risk
for torsades de pointes, multiple studies have
shown no effect on ECG parameters by
loratadine or desloratadine.2-4, 6, 8, 12, 14

In infants, the most common reactions were

upper respiratory tract infections (21.2% vs.
12.9%), diarrhea (19.7% vs. 8.1%), fever (12.1%
vs. 1.6%), irritability (12.1% vs. 11.3%),
coughing (10.6% vs. 9.7%), somnolence (9.1%
vs. 8.1%), bronchitis (6.1% vs. 0), otitis media
(6.1% vs. 1.6%), vomiting (6.1% vs. 3.2%),
anorexia (4.5% vs. 1.6%), pharyngitis (4.5% vs.
1.6), insomnia (4.5% vs. 0), rhinorrhea (4.5% vs.
3.2%), erythema (3% vs. 1.6%) and nausea (3%
vs. 0). None of the patients had a significant
change in ECG measurements. Only one patient
required discontinuation of treatment.4

Adverse Effects
Both loratadine and desloratadine are well
tolerated in children.6, 9-15 Loratadine adverse
effects were monitored in premarketing trials
involving approximately 300 children between 6
and 12 years of age, with the most frequently
reported events including abdominal pain (2% of
treated patients vs. 0 placebo controls), fatigue
(3% vs. 2%), hyperkinesia (3% vs. 1%), malaise
(2% vs. 0), nervousness and wheezing (both 4%
vs. 2%), and conjunctivitis, dysphonia, and upper
respiratory tract infection (2% vs. < 1%). Sixty
children between 2 and 5 years of age were also
studied as part of a 2-week double-blinded,
placebo-controlled clinical trial.
The most
common adverse effects were diarrhea and
epistaxis (3% vs. 0 controls), pharyngitis (3% vs.
2%), earache, fatigue, influenza-like symptoms,
rash, stomatis, tooth disorder, and concomitant
Diarrhea
viral infection (all 2% vs. 0).2
associated with loratadine or desloratadine
solutions may be caused by the sorbitol in these
products.

Drug Interactions
Drugs that inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, such
as erythromycin, cimetidine, and ketoconazole,
prolong the metabolism of loratadine and
desloratadine. As a result, plasma concentrations
may increase significantly. Administration of
ketoconazole 200 mg every 12 hours produced a
307%
increase
in
loratadine
plasma
concentrations, measured as the area under the
concentration-time curve over 24 hours, and a
39% increase in desloratadine concentrations. In
spite of the increase in plasma concentrations,
studies conducted in healthy adult volunteers
have not revealed a change in vital signs,
electrocardiographic measurements of the QTc
interval, laboratory tests, or other adverse effects.
Azithromycin and fluoxetine may also increase
loratadine or desloratadine concentrations, but to
a lesser degree.2-4
Dosing Recommendations
The recommended dose for loratadine in children
2-5 years of age is 5 mg given orally once daily.
For children 6 years of age or older and adults,
the recommended dose is 10 mg once daily or 5

mg every 12 hours. For patients above the age of

6 with renal or hepatic dysfunction, a 10 mg dose
should be administered every other day rather
than daily.2-4
The FDA-approved dosing for desloratadine in
children between 6 to 11 months of age is 1 mg
given orally once daily. For children 1 to 5 years
of age, the dose is 1.25 mg once daily. The dose
for children 6 to 11 years of age is 2.5 mg once
daily. Patients 12 years of age and older may
take 5 mg once daily. Adults with renal or
hepatic impairment should take 5 mg every other
day; dosing for younger patients has not been
established. Both loratadine and desloratadine
may be taken with or without food.2-4
Availability
Loratadine is sold OTC as Claritin (Schering)
and numerous generic brands. It is available as
10 mg tablets and capsules, 5 and 10 mg
dispersible tablets, a 5 mg chewable tablet, and a
1 mg/mL syrup.
Desloratadine (Clarinex,
Schering) is available as a 5 mg tablet, 2.5 and 5
mg dispersible tablets, and a 0.5 mg/mL syrup.
The dispersible tablets may be taken with or
without water.
Families of patients with
phenylketonuria should be aware that many of
these products contain phenylalanine.2-4
Summary
Loratadine and desloratadine are effective
therapies for the management of seasonal or
perennial allergic rhinitis and urticaria in infants,
children, and adults. As with other second
generation antihistamines, their decreased
potential for causing sedation compared to older
agents, make loratadine and desloratadine firstline therapies for pediatric patients with allergies.
References
1. Phan H, Moeller ML, Nahata MC. Treatment of allergic
rhinitis in infants and children: efficacy and safety of
second-generation antihistamines and the leukotriene
receptor antagonist montelukast. Drugs 2009;69:2541-76.
2. Loratadine. Drug Facts and Comparisons 4.0. Efacts
[online]. 2011. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
(accessed 3/31/11).
3. Desloratadine. Drug Facts and Comparisons 4.0. Efacts
[online]. 2011. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
(accessed 3/31/11).
4. Clarinex information. Schering Corp., a subsidiary of
Merck & Co., Inc., December 2010.
Available at
www.clarinex.com (accessed 3/31/11).
5. Lin C, Radwanski E, Affrime M, et al. Pharmacokinetics
of loratadine in pediatric subjects. Am J Ther 1995;2:504-8.
6. Salmun LM, Herron JM, Banfield C, et al. The
pharmacokinetics,
electrocardiographic
effects,
and
tolerability of loratadine syrup in children aged 2 to 5 years.
Clin Ther 2000;22:613-21.
7. Gupta S, Khalilieh S, Kantesaria B, et al.
Pharmacokinetics of desloratadine in children between 2 and
11 years of age. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2006;63:534-40.

8. Gupta S, Kantesaria B, Banfield C, et al. Desloratadine

dose selection in children aged 6 months to 2 years:
comparison of population pharmacokinetics between
children and adults. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2007;64:174-84.
9. Boner AL, Migliorazni P, Richelli C, et al. Efficacy and
safety of loratadine suspension in the treatment of children
with allergic rhinitis. Allergy 1989;44:437-41.
10. Boner AL, Richelli C, Castellani C, et al. Comparison of
the effects of loratadine and astemizole in the treatment of
children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergy
1992;47:98-102.
11. Lutsky BN, Klose P, Melon J, et al. A comparative study
of the efficacy and safety of loratadine syrup and terfenadine
suspension in the treatment of 3- to 6-year-old children with
seasonal allergic rhinitis. Clin Ther 1993;15:855-65.
12. Bloom M, Staudinger H, Herron J. Safety of
desloratadine syrup in children. Curr Med Res Opin
2004;20:1959-65.
13. Rossi GA, Tosca MA, Passalacqua G, et al. Evidence of
desloratadine syrup efficacy and tolerability in children with
pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2005;60:416-7.
14. Prenner B, Ballona R, Bueso A, et al. Safety of
desloratadine syrup in children six months to younger than 2
years of age: a randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled study. Ped Asthma Allergy Immunol 2006;19:919.
15. Dizdar EA, Sekerel BE, Keskin O, et al. The effect of
regular versus on-demand desloratadine treatment in children
with allergic rhinitis. Internat J Ped Otorhinolaryngol
2007;71:843-9.

Formulary Update
The following actions were taken by the
Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at their
meeting on 4/22/11:
1. Sevelamer carbonate (Renvela) was added to
the
Formulary
for
management
of
hyperphosphatemia. Sevelamer HCl (Renagel)
was deleted.
2. Acetaminophen injection (OfirmevTM) was
added to the Formulary. After an order has been
active for 24 hours, it may be changed to oral
acetaminophen by a clinical pharmacist if the
patient is taking other oral medications. For
patients not taking oral medications after 24
hours, a clinical pharmacist will discuss plans for
continuing IV acetaminophen with the prescriber.
For
more
information,
refer
to:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/alive/pedia
trics/PharmNews/201104.pdf
3. Moisture barrier ointment with miconazole 2%
(Critic-Aid) was added for use in adults.
Contributing Editor: Marcia Buck, Pharm.D.
Editorial Board: Kristi N. Hofer, Pharm.D.
Michelle W. McCarthy, Pharm.D., FASHP
Susan B. Cogut, Pharm.D.
If you have comments or suggestions for future
issues, please contact us at Box 800674, UVA
Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908 or
by e-mail to mlb3u@virginia.edu. This
newsletter
is
also
available
at
http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/depar
tments/pediatrics/education/pharmnews